Aspectos metodológicos e aplicações clínicas dos exercícios com restrição do fluxo sanguíneo

The resistance training has been recommended in the prevention and rehabilitation of injuries, health promotion, and to improve sports performance. Low intensity resistance exercise with blood flow restriction is an alternative for people intolerant to traditional protocols recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine, advocating high intensity to increase strength and muscle hypertrophy. This method involves the application of cuff pressure on the proximal portion of the upper or lower extremities by promoting muscle ischemia with consequent increase in anabolic activity. The study aimed to review the literature on the methodological aspects of exercise with blood flow restriction, as well as verify the muscular and cardiovascular effects promoted by this type of training and its possible clinical applications. We can conclude that there are different methodological approaches used in this type of training, and therefore a need for a standard protocol. However, even with different methodologies, the results have shown that the low intensity exercise with blood flow restriction seems to promote muscle responses similar to those protocols with highloads, such as increased strength and muscle hypertrophy. On the other hand, caution must be taken when prescribing this type of exercise, especially to patients with cardiometabolic diseases due to possible reductions of flow mediated vasodilatation that may be associated with increased retrograde flow, leading to endothelial dysfunction through the mechanism of ischemia-reperfusion.